Assessment of Truck Drivers’ Literacy and Performance Evaluation in Haulage Operations in Nigeria

This research work examined the literacy of Nigerian truck drivers being used in haulage operations with a view to assess whether driver’s literacy enhances haulage operational performance. The problem of haulage operations in Nigeria can be attributed to inadequacy of well trained and educated drivers who can carry out deliveries with little or no supervision. For truck drivers; the need to understand road signs, traffic signals, documentation procedures, negotiations and readings of certain descriptions on equipment like fire-extinguisher cannot be carried out properly without certain level of education. Data collected at randomly selected Trailer Parks in Nigeria were analysed using Chi-Square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analytical techniques. Results revealed that, calculated value of 10.7643 is less than tabulated value15.507; therefore, null hypothesis was accepted. i.e (Most Truck drivers are not educated). Also, drivers with higher academic qualification has higher correlation value of r= 0.555 at p<0.05 level of significance which indicated higher level of performance. Similarly, lower academic qualification has a positive correlation with performance with r=0.331 at p<0.05. In other words, drivers with higher academic qualification has R2=0.308 which is about 31% in relation to their driving performance. Lower academic qualified drivers accounted for approximately 11% of drivers’ performance. The paper suggested establishment of truck driving school, creation of drivers’ database and safety issue should also be given paramount importance in Nigeria.